Chelsea are poised to sign Michael Olise and Roméo Lavia after activating a £35m release clause in the Crystal Palace forward’s contract and agreeing a fee of £53m plus £5m in add-ons with Southampton for the Belgium midfielder. Both Olise, 21, and Lavia, 19, want to move to Stamford Bridge.
Olise is expected to be out of action with a hamstring injury until at least the end of September, and the move will depend on the France Under-21 player passing a medical. He would provide Mauricio Pochettino with more options in attacking midfield. If everything goes to plan Olise will compete with Raheem Sterling, Mykhailo Mudryk and Noni Madueke for a place on the wings.
